Week in Review

Okay, in the spirit of full disclosure, I do need to tell all of you, my loyal readers that I have in fact crossed over to the dark side. I am now a Facebook member, and I have 53 friends to prove it. I said I would never do it, I relentlessly harassed all of my friends who love Facebook, and I am now full-bellied and bloated after eating my words!! I have to say for all the crap I doled out, I am quite enjoying this crazy Facebook phenomenon. Just wanted to get that confession out of the way.

The past two weeks have been a bit hectic to say the least. Two weeks ago began the frenzied race to "get ready." We always joke that you can go through our house and point to any picture on the wall, shelf hung, or special window treatment and date it according to some event - i.e. we hung those curtains before Finley's Christening, we painted that room before Carter's birthday party, we finished the basement in time for the Halloween party. Like suddenly, we have to make our surroundings look perfect for this one event. Even though all the people who will be there know us and know what our house normally looks like. Really, who are we trying to fool? Yet, we do it anyway, until we reach a level of stress where our heads are about to explode. In our first couple years of marriage and parenthood, that would be the point where I'd cry and scream and still keep going. Now I grab me a laundry basket and walk from room to room filling it with stray items I don't have the time or energy to put away. I then stash that laundry basket in a closet and our guests are none the wiser. I clean the stuff that needs to be cleaned and don't worry about perfection. I cook a little and cater a little, and accept every offer from friends and family to bring something. I find that I am much happier this way, my husband doesn't dread parties because I've turned into a psychotic version of Martha Stewart, and I actually enjoy the event we are celebrating. 

God was definitely smiling down on us last Saturday, we had a beautiful day for Piper's First Holy Communion. She was absolutely a vision in her dress and, of course, loved being the center of attention. We were all really excited to celebrate this milestone with her! I feel like it was just yesterday we were dressing her in her christening gown and heading to church and now we watch her walk up with her hands folded (and then usually make a face of disgust after tasting the wine. We're still working on the "poker face.") 

On Friday, we celebrated Trace's 7th birthday. Another child making me feel WAY too old. Speaking of too old, as of yesterday, I am now 32. Honestly, I've never been too hung up on age, so I am not one of those women who will not reveal her age. Though you may want to talk to me once I stop being carded. As if the five kids begging for gum at the checkout and the cart full of groceries is all just a ploy to be able to purchase that bottle of wine and 6-pack of beer. Yep, you caught me! I got the spa treatment of a lifetime at his school Friday morning at "Ma's Spa." My nails are a rainbow of beautiful colors. I'd take those few hours with my first grade guy over any spa any day!

On a final note, Happy Mothers Day to all the amazing women out there - its your day! Spend it in whatever way makes you happy. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful mom of my own and to be Mom to 5 great kids!

The Age of Innocence and Media Influence

I think one of the things I miss most as my kids grow from babies to toddlers to school age kids is the decreasing frequency of funny things they say. Thats not to say they're not still very entertaining, just in a different way. When they're toddlers, its the innocence that makes it so funny. I think what is so amazing is the way when they're 2, 3 or even four they pick up things you never even think they'd notice and then it comes out later and you're left open-mouthed. Its like a video camera, always recording (big ears on little people.) We've always known Piper is listening (hence her nickname of Nosy Rosy early on) but we were never really sure with Carter. He's a lot like his Papa, sort of meandering through the day, happy as a clam. Both figure if they don't let on what they know, we won't ask much of them. Isn't ignorance bliss? But Carter is definitely listening. He is our resident grizzly bear in the morning and spends his first hour or so watching Nick Jr. I think he's become less interested in the shows lately though and more tuned in to the commercials. Its amazing the influence the media has on our kids. I am continually summoned to the TV to watch a commercial so I know what to get him for his birthday (he has no concept of exactly how far away December is.) But now he has also started calling me to see things he thinks I need. Namely, the topsy-turvy tomato plant growing contraption "so we can grow 'matos for Finley," and the rotating mascara brush which he told me would make my eyes look so pretty. Damn, I must look pretty tired these days - and I thought I hid it well. I think the kicker was when he was watching the Bulls game with Tim and saw a Geico commercial with the talking gecko. He looked straight at me and said, "Oh, he's the brother to the money." It took me a minute, but I realized he was talking about "the money you could be saving with Geico" money with eyeballs. He then asked "is his name Geico too?" Sometimes I get disturbed thinking about the way the media corrupts our kids - mostly when Piper wants to model her wardrobe after Hannah Montana, or walks off the bus singing "f-r-e-e that spells free, credit report dot com, baby." Apparently thats what all the second graders are singing these days. Duh!! But, then again if I were to say 588-2300, I am fairly certain you would all say Empire. And we turned out okay. Though I feel like my kids are getting too smart, too grown up too quickly, I am left smiling with tears in my eyes every time we drive on 355 near the factories in Lemont since Carter pointed to the smokestacks pouring smoke into the air and told me that is the "cloud factory" where they make clouds. Yes, it is sweet one, yes it is!!

Nature vs Nurture

When people ask me what the best thing about having 5 kids is, my answer is always the same - we have such a mixed bag. 5 very different little people in one family. Often the differences are so glaringly obvoius that I start wondering about the whole nature versus nurture argument. Which personality traits and habits have we helped shape and which are so deeply embedded in the fiber of their little beings? We have recently implemented weekly and daily chores (this is long overdue) in the Johnson household. Lets just say this has met with some very interesting reactions. One particular child has been very eager to help, wanting to do all the chores on their chart all at once. (Yes there are charts, actually typed up in Excel and taped up weekly in the kitchen. You'd never know by looking at the inside of my car that I do have these crazy OCD uber-organized tendencies locked away deep inside.) Another child, who shall remain nameless, has taken on the role of Cinderella coughing as they sweep up the crumbs from under the dinner table, telling us on several occasions, "I did NOT sign up for this." I might argue the same.

The same two children have very different saving and spending habits as wsell. You can literally see the smoke coming from Cinderella's pocket when she has a dollar to her name. Whereas her sibling, shall we call him Prince Charming (I'm not doing very well in the way of anonymity, am I?) has a washed out glass jar in his drawer filled with every nickel he's ever earned or been gifted. Go figure...

The scene that played out at this morning's breakfast table had me revisiting the nature vs nurture topic once again. Piper and Finley were having waffles, and Piper noticed Trace's plate had a piece of chocolate chip coffee cake left over from Nana's birthday brunch. She started to cry when I told her it was the last piece. Without a word, when Piper wasn't even looking, Trace put the piece of cake on her plate. Those of who know Trace know how much he loves his sweets. So this was a true sacrifice for him, yet he did it without a moment's hesitation. I would argue that that is something that you cannot teach your child. Either way, that is the kind of moment that makes us so proud as parents, and so thankful for this crazy, chaotic life with 5 very different individuals. Happy Monday!

PS. This awesome pic was taken by Paula Subler

The Fish Tale

Every year we come to Gulf Shores, the kids are in search of the elusive sand crab. It has become a bit of an obsession, and a bit of a joke. The first year we were here, we did in fact acquire a crab. Tim took the kids down to the beach at sunset to look for crabs, armed with a bucket, shovel and net. Hours later they returned with a crab, named Sonny. Trace was so proud telilng me all about the crab and how they caught it. This turned out to be his first fish tale, since they actually "caught" the crab in the elevator. (Another dad and his little guy found a bucket full of crabs in the elevator.) Last night, Tim, Piper and Trace returned from dinner with a huge crab. Aunt Paula spotted it as they were driving back, and after some coaxing and a little pep talk, brave Uncle Rory dumped his fries out of a styrofoam container and caught the crab in there. The nice lady at the Citgo next door gave Tim a fishing pail to put it in, the kids got some sand from the beach and now "Bigfoot" is sitting on our patio. Never a dull moment...

Happy Easter

Hope everyone had a happy and blessed Easter! Ours turned rainy but was good. Here are a few pictures...

One Month Old

I can't believe that one month (yesterday) has passed since Scout was born. If only the last month of pregnancy passed that quickly. Her one month "birthday" was celebrated with her first plane ride. Her and her cousin Brody were so good, but it was definitely a long day complete with plane changes, gate changes and diaper changes. Scout was happy to be carried in her sling for the majority of the day. We're glad to be in warmer weather and look forward to a relaxing week.

Wally World, Here We Come!

Growing up, there was one movie that the entire family always watched, whenever it was on. It was a family autobiography of sorts - National Lampoon's Vacation. My dad was Clark W. Griswold (His dog is actually named Clark.) My parents told me that some day my brothers and I would look back fondly on our three week trip out west. Aaahh yes, one pop-up camper, one sister, two brothers, a talking PeeWee Herman doll, huge wads of Bazooka bubble gum, and Ryan "drying out his mouth" (AKA drooling on my head,) and countless stops at places like  "The Corn Palace," Wall Drugs, and "The House of Mud." I didn't understand then what possessed my parents to take us on what has lovingly been nicknamed "The Hell Trip." Now as a parent, as I realize it is just one of the small joys of having children (right up there with embarrassing them with your clothing and singing really loud to the music you like on the iPod.) Tim is even more excited to take our children on road trips than I am. This could be because I still get bored and car sick like when I was a kid. But not Tim, he's armed with his atlas, sports talk shows on AM radio, and a cup of lukewarm gas station coffee. We've made the trip from Illinois to Gulf Shores, Alabama the last two years over Easter. We weren't going to brave it this year because of Scout being so young. However, we changed our minds after a week of being cooped up over Christmas Break, and the kids announcing by seven in the morning that they were bored (never mind the heaps of new Xmas toys.) So in true family man fashion, my brother Rory has agreed to be Goose, the wingman to Tim's Maverick. One Suburban, one Acura, two dads, four kids, 14 hours of driving, countless potty stops. Doesn't seem to add up?? That's because there will be two moms (Paula and I) and two babies (Brody and Scout) on one peaceful flight down south tomorrow. The boys and big kids are on the road, and I must admit I'm a bit giddy as I clean the very quiet house with one sleeping baby nearby, knowing that what I pick up now will actually stay picked up longer than 5 minutes. If any two guys can handle the challenge, though, its Tim and Rory. And its good for the kids to get to do something so fun with their dad, after all he lets them get all the treats I never let them have! So, Tim and Ror, may the force be with you, and NO, girls cannot pee standing up like boys - just find a clean bathroom!!!!

Here are a couple pictures of Finley, who was such a good girl and big helper that she got to have her toenails painted before we left for the beach! She was so proud!